Woo, another chapter! I was honestly unsure if this chapter would come out on time, but gladly, here it is!

Sorry if this feels rather slow or unfulfilling, but I like the plot details sewn through this chapter's major bits. I don't believe there will be a chapter for the next two weeks from here, because my schedule is pretty unforgiving for this month. 

For this chapter's question: How do you feel about this story? Is it going too slow, is it going too quickly? Is it predictable, is it random?

I'm running out of questions at this rate, but I figured that'll be a decent one.

Oooh, and the picture up top is what Ranni's original body (and thus, her spirit) looks like. Not officially, but I like how that looks, so there you go!

Regardless of that, I hope you enjoy the chapter!

-----

Within the vast universe, (Y/n) stared out into the infinite night. He was entirely caught off-guard by the Moon's request, but he managed to recollect himself with an intensity that he normally kept relegated to battles.

He didn't answer her immediately, holding onto the Serpent-Hunter and making sure he was still grounded. Despite being physically on the moon, some realistic thinking convinced him that he probably was under a very, very intense illusion, rather than being in space.

When extending his senses, he found that they simply didn't exist. His supernatural sight, hearing, and overall abilities had simply vanished, but he felt no weaker than before.

(Y/n) took a slow breath, nodding gently to himself. "This place isn't real, is it? It's not just a simple illusion you've place over the lake either."

The Moon looked away from (Y/n), her supernova eyes relaxing. "I see. If I am to receive an answer, I must provide one first?"

(Y/n) shrugged. 'If she's the Outer God who chose Ranni, Rennala, and Sellen, she probably can't just force information out of me. Compared to the Darkness who just chose me, she's probably being spread pretty thin. Maybe it's inhumane, but I'm using this chance to get all the information I can.'

"You gain something, I gain something. Seems fair to me."

The Moon let out a short breath, seeming somewhat pleased by (Y/n)'s choice. "Darkness chose well. I expected a fool, though I suppose Sellen and Ranni wouldn't side with fools. Very well. Let us trade three questions and three answers. The truth is weighed on our very essences."

She extended a hand, and (Y/n) took it, feeling an intensely restraining feeling deep within his body. The culprit was the woman's final words, but (Y/n) didn't know how or why.

The Moon smiled. "As a kindness, that feeling is an Essence Oath. If we lie under our terms of agreement, our essence will be the price. I expect that you have an idea what that means."

(Y/n) vividly remembered how the Darkness sacrificed himself for (Y/n) to receive another chance at life. There was no afterlife or retry, it was far different than even a typical death in that way. It was total annihilation to a degree that he couldn't fathom. His face paled.

At his expression, the Moon sighed. "It's not so bad. Being trapped in a higher realm for an eternity was much worse."

The Moon waved a hand, and began walking upwards, as if on invisible stairs. She walked up until she was several feet away from (Y/n), gesturing out into the abyss of space. "Like you've surmised, this place is not physically real, nor is it a simple illusion. This place is simply your mind."

(Y/n) waited a moment for a more satisfying answer, but based on the woman's smile, he had a feeling he wouldn't be receiving one. He rolled his eyes, and barely noticed her smile growing.

'I'm not in any immediate danger, good. That's the first issue answered.'

The woman continued, "For my question: Will you be providing us your assistance?"

(Y/n) shook his hand in a so-so gesture. "Possibly. It'll depend on who 'us' is and what you guys need help with." The Moon bobbed her head to herself, momentarily satisfied. (Y/n) continued to his next question. "What's happening in the real world right now?"

The Moon looked out into the distance, checking. After a moment, her eyes returned to (Y/n)'s face. "Time has essentially been stopped, but more than just your fight, the Outer Gods are moving, like I've said. For example, the Frenzied Flame has just... killed the Lunar Princess."

"What?"

Despite having a clear opportunity to abuse the Three Questions Oath, the woman continued with no mention of it. "Using your bout against the Divine Hydra as a distraction, he attacked the Lunar Princess and successfully defeated her."

"Why?" (Y/n) asked quietly, perplexed.

"Well, that's exactly why I've come to you."

A thought flashed through (Y/n)'s mind, and horror filled his eyes. "He's after Sellen next."

The Moon took a step back, genuinely caught off-guard by (Y/n)'s analysis. "How'd you...?"

"Rennala died to Rykard, and the Frenzied Flame killed Ranni. Those events happen far too close to be just coincidence. And beyond their bloodline, there's a very clear connection." (Y/n) pointed towards the stunned Outer God. "It's you. The Moon, who's influenced them both. If he's killing those who are connected to you, then Sellen's the last option he's got."

The Moon slowly nodded, a slightly awkward smile on her face. "I... well, you're not incorrect. Furthermore, I can't simply hand off my power to Sellen because her body is being disabled right now by the interference of another Outer God."

(Y/n) frowned, his mind in overdrive. "The Formless Mother, right?"

The Moon stared at (Y/n). "How... do you know who she is?"

(Y/n) smiled coyly, trying to keep his calm. "My question first, Moony. Oath, remember?"

The Moon smiled annoyedly. "Based on my information, yes, it'll be the Formless Mother. Now, how do you know who she is?"

(Y/n) grinned. "That conversation at the Higher Realm Table wasn't a secret."

The Moon frowned, descending the invisible steps and pouting. She pushed her index finger against (Y/n)'s chest. "I need more than just that. How could a mortal manage to see something at a higher realm?"

(Y/n) felt the Essence Oath pulling at him and found the sensation incredibly uncomfortable. He shrugged, maintaining his grin. "All I had was a dream. Death and dreams are pretty well connected, right? Maybe it was the Darkness's final gift to me."

The Moon sighed, taking a step back and falling backwards, to sit on what was now an invisible chair. "I didn't realize such a thing was possible. I... apologize for my outburst. Now, do you understand the stakes?"

(Y/n) bobbed his head. "You need help because Sellen is your last choice and without her you're pretty screwed, probably because there aren't many other fitting options after her. So, I'll ask my final question: Moony, do you plan to stand with me, or do you plan to stand against me?"

The Moon smiled. "A closed question, hm? You're already becoming quite used to this. Shadow Sovereign, no, (Y/n)." The woman gently sat her head in her hand, meeting (Y/n)'s eyes with her flaming supernovas. "I've planned to stand with you since the beginning."

(Y/n) let out a sigh of relief, feeling a ton of tension leave his body. "What about your final question?"

The Outer God smiled, and the world began to crack like a mirror in every direction. (Y/n)'s eyes darted around, and he realized what was happening. The Moon spoke as the world completely shattered, returning (Y/n) to the lake of frozen time. "I'll save that for later."

(Y/n) scanned the area, sensing nothing like the Moon's presence. "Damn it, Moony. You're killing me."

He was back in the Lake of Liurnia, with the bisected forms of Rennala and Rykard floating in the air. Salem was next to him, even frozen as she was. It was a fine sight to see, and (Y/n) let out a little sigh as he felt the world's time slowly speeding up.

Just a few seconds later, all the easily forgettable noise of the world from the rushing air to the sloshing water came back to (Y/n), and the bisected form of Rykard and Rennala flew apart.

As this cataclysmic event occurred, (Y/n) pushed air out of his mouth in a huff. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire."

—

The destroyed sight of the Three Sisters was haunting. Frenzied Flames danced joyously between melted stone as (Y/n)'s shadowy aura snuffed the flames out. By his side, Melina followed silently, her spirit surging with simmering fury.

(Y/n) eyes darkened as his eyes fell onto the fallen souls of his allies. From Ranni to Iji to Blaidd, they were all there, being tortured by the Frenzied Flame's devious abilities. The saving grace was that the spirits were coated in a thin, quickly fading aura of Moonlight Energy.

Even such a long distance away, in the Liurnia of the Lakes, his Shadows quaked because of the fervent, boiling anger of their Sovereign.

Melina softly laid her hand on his quaking shoulder. "He will pay for this."

(Y/n)'s eyes glowed with fury before he extended his hand to the spirits. "Yes, he definitely will."

With a word, (Y/n) summoned the lingering spirits of his close allies.

[Due to the Anchor Rune, the newly acquired Shadows have Ranked up.]

[Shadow Demigod]
[Ranni]
[Rank: 8]

[True Shadow Warrior]
[Blaidd]
[Rank: 7]

[Shadow Golem]
[Iji]
[Rank: 6]

[Shadow Dragon]
[Adula]
[Rank: 7]

The three Shadows kneeled to (Y/n) at once, and a complicated group of emotions welled up within him. Melina walked closer to him, taking his hand in hers. With her figure so close, he relaxed and took a slow, deep breath.

Ranni rose from kneeling first, sensing that her position didn't bring (Y/n) any joy. Unlike the body she lingered in, her spirit only had two arms, and she looked rather close to her mother, with flowing red locks that she certainly inherited from her father, Radagon.

Unlike most of the other Shadows, her red locks still shined royally.

She met his eyes easily, unchallenging. Her gaze was wordless, but it said far more than it needed to. After all, she was one of his closest allies in his past life, and that gaze of hers showed that her memory hadn't faded.

Blaidd, Iji, and Adula rose, and waves of power rose from the three.

The half-wolf warrior stood several feet taller than before, with a weapon that was coated in darkness, even with the original handle of his Royal Greatsword. His monstrous cloak hung over his massive shoulders and his fur was easily as tough as steel.

Iji didn't look too different than normally, but his faded and lean muscles bulged with vigor and energy as shadows rose from him in waves.

Adula had a development that (Y/n) didn't expect in the slightest. On his back, a cannon-like protrusion formed. The dragon was mainly dark blue, like its scales once were. It had become something meant for long-ranged combat, slimming down dramatically to assist a speedier form.

Undeniably, the Shadow Army was quickly becoming the fiercest army the world had seen yet, but their power was not the main reason why (Y/n) went out of his way to collect as many Shadows as possible.

From his shadow, the Carian Queen rose in the form of a Shadow, followed quickly by Radahn.

Upon seeing Rennala, Blaidd and Iji knelt once more, the respect for their queen compelling them. Ranni, on the other hand, was shocked to her core by her mother's presence, and a genuine, if small smile, rose from her

Queen Rennala extended her arms, and Ranni found her way into them, reuniting with her dear mother. Radahn stood over them, and although his face was covered with his lion mask, a feeling of undeniable joy radiated from him.

In the shadows far underneath the group, satisfaction flowed happily. A voice echoed gently, "Together once again!"

(Y/n) rolled his eyes gently, his heart feeling a little lighter at the sight of the family's reunion. Melina gently squeezed (Y/n)'s hand. "Perhaps this is your greatest strength; the unity that you've encouraged. Among the living, and yes, among the deceased."

(Y/n) looked at the sight for a few minutes before sighing, turning away from the reunion and looking over the lake. The destroyed Academy of Raya Lucaria had a ton of wizards from different schools of magic coming together to prepare for a war, but compared to what he just faced, (Y/n) was unworried about them.

He took a slow breath and sat down, his Umbral Robes fluttering out and allowing Melina to sit next to him.

He waved once, and all his Shadows understood his intentions. They flew out in every direction, beginning to take care of just about everything they could, which included getting (Y/n) a ton of new allies.

With his incredible vision, he looked out to see Millicent, Rya, and a slew of other allies that were still alive all on the edge of the lake. They looked confused, disgruntled, and frustrated, for the most part. (Y/n) understood where they were coming from, especially with their inability to act next to such a massive threat, like Rykard.

"Melina, what the hell do I say to them? They're about to be pulled into a war far beyond their comprehension, and honestly, I don't even know what we're gonna do," (Y/n) admitted. "At this rate, I can't rely on the Roundtable Hold to keep all of them safe, if I could even rely on it before."

The Maiden of Destined Death took a deep breath and spoke with determination. "We need a home, and a fortress of our own. We've been moving on and on without stopping, but it's about time for us to find a place that we can direct our allies to."

(Y/n) slowly nodded, agreeing with the sentiment. "Yeah, you're right."

Reaching into his shadow, (Y/n) held a bunch of Golden Seeds that had become thoroughly covered in his energy. "I think I have a decent idea too."